I haven't seen any progress updates on this engine in some time, thinking that the shop is dedicated to getting 26 back up and running as the priority?
There was mention on the steamtown Facebook page that the staybolt holes did not line up between the inner and outer sheets...is this fact or rumour? I would think if true it could be a significant setback.

Hi RYPNers,

You can see the latest newsletter on the website at http://www.project3713.com/. It was posted January 1st and has an interesting story about how Hurricane Sandy impacted the schedule of the wheel work. It also covers the "America's Locomotive" fundraising concept introduced at RailFest 2013 when the late Steamtown Superintendent Kip Hagen blew #3713's whistle at the Scranton roundhouse. The whistle itself was returned to #3713 in 2005 from a private owner.

As the newsletter states, "The goal for now is to have her fully operational by 2017, which will be the 230th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution." #3713 was named "The Constitution" in 1937, the 150th anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution, during her service days on the B&M..

There is a lot going on as we move towards operation. From the pilot to the tender coupler, we will communicate as significant milestones are approached and reached. As for the firebox, there is work yet to be done and I am sure it will be the focal point of next few rounds of updates. The newsletter explains the steps needed to prep for the upcoming mud ring work.

You should start to see more frequent communications from the Project #3713 team shortly. We have some things in the works for 2014 that will raise the profile of this significant restoration project.

For now, the website is the best place for official updates as the newsletters are posted there. As more information is released, we will make sure to let the RYPN community know about it.

All the best,

Rob Davis
America's Locomotive Committee Member
Opinions expressed are my own

Hi Mike, thanks for the response. Just an FYI, on a mobile device that newsletter is a disaster. Overlapping text makes it difficult to read, and the last two words I can decipher are "rising water", so I didn't see anything about a whistle or a mud ring or Kip. I'm using an iPhone 5s if that makes a difference.

Hi,

Yes, the newsletter is not translating to mobile very well. Part of what you'll be seeing is a revamp of our digital comms and we'll be device-compliant across the board.

Rob

I wish there were more photos of 3713 available to view online. She is one of my favorite locos and I have only ever seen maybe 10ish photos of her before she started being restored.

Peter, have you seen all of these? Scroll down to "4-6-2 3713"
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bm/bm.html

Nice! Thanks Stephen

So, the goal is to have it fully operational by 2017...what is preventing the group from getting it done sooner?

Note: I'm not asking this in a negative or "attacking" way...I'm only asking in terms or what still needs to be done, and in what timeframe...

Rob,

First off, thanks for the update. Good to know work is continuing, even if it's not overly visible. Secondly, while I was reading the newsletter, I saw that the "Constitution" name board currently in Steamtown's possession is a replica. Do you have any idea what happened to the original?

Mark - I do not have any info on her original name plates. Let me see if that's something that has come up.

Jim - Time and money are always factors with these things. The work done so far has focused on the firebox and boiler, but has included other elements including the wheel work mentioned in the newsletter. All the work has been documented through the newsletters. Tactically, getting the trailing truck assembly with the refurbished wheels back supporting the frame is up next so the last set of drivers can be dropped to get at the mud ring. Expect updates soon.

Stop by the #3713 booth if you are at the Big E next weekend,

Rob

I wonder if anyone's ever approached author Stephen King about supporting this project? He's the one wealthy Mainer that comes to mind, and he has mentioned the B&M in more than one of his stories.

I'd think he could contribute the kind of funding that'd speed this project up considerably.

Hugh- Stephen King is an exceptionally generous donor in Maine, particularly towards hospital and education campaigns. King's office gets swamped with donation requests, and there is now a process for submitting, being considered by a board, and then moving forward. We, working on the MEC 470 have an application in submission.

Dick

Dick- That's very good to hear. Good luck with your application.

King's certainly worked hard for what he has, but I imagine he's also very appreciative of how lucky he is. IIRC, in the space of one week he went from facing eviction from a house trailer due to not being able to pay rent, to getting a $1M advance for his first novel "Carrie".